Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo has announced the suspension of the bi-weekly Azimio anti-government protests in the county.
In a statement to newsrooms on Wednesday, Governor Nyongo said the suspension followed discussions with both the county and national leadership of Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Governor Nyongo claimed in the statement that Kisumu residents who have protested the high cost of living and the contested General Election have spoken out strongly on “these very serious matters and have delivered their petitions to the government.”
He also claims that the indefinite suspension of the demonstrations in Kisumu will enable Raila supporters to join the ongoing unrest in Nairobi.
“All public demonstrations within Kisumu County have from today been suspended indefinitely so that we can join the demonstrations in Nairobi,” Governor Nyongo said.
He claimed that despite the suspension, the residents of Kisumu are still dedicated to Azimio La Umoja’s goals and its campaign for a better Kenya.
The governor further appealed to residents to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the county.
The anti-government protests that started last week, have so far claimed three lives in Kisumu, including two people who were shot dead and one who succumbed to injuries inflicted by a mob.
Several instances of mugging and vandalism have also been recorded in the course of the protests
Meanwhile, Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday maintained that the bi-weekly, anti-government protests would continue.
The former Prime Minister wants the government to address a slew of issues, including the skyrocketing cost of living and access to IEBC servers, ostensibly to find out who won the most recent general election.
The second round of protests in Nairobi on Monday was not without drama, especially in Kibra where Raila and his allies set up camp.
